Poet/Poetry Webquest

It is time to explore the wonderful poetry that can be found on the internet. For this activity, we will focus on American poets to create a combined classroom PowerPoint presentation.

Firstly, I want you to visit The Academy of American Poets. On the right hand side of that page are two lists you can start with--Most Popular Contemporary Poets and Most Popular Historical Poets. You may also use the search bar to type in names. Please choose a poet of interest to focus on at this site.

When you click on a poet, it will bring you to a new page. In your notes, record any important biographical information that can be used to present to the class. You want to record basic information, but also be on the lookout for anything interesting you can share with your peers.

Within a blue box at the top of that same page, you will see a list of poems that you can read and/or listen to from that poet. Read at least one poem for the poet you chose on this site. Keep track of the poem(s) you read in your notes.

Copy your favorite line(s) from the poem you have read and explain on the slide why this line stood out to you.

Creatively compile the above information on slide 1 & 2 of your presentation. Do not copy and paste any information directly from the website or you will automatically earn a zero.

Your next step is to pick a poem to read based on their titles rather than the author. You will look under Most Popular Poems. Choose three poems to read and keep track of your choices in your notes.

Once you have finished exploring your poems, you must decide which poem was your favorite. Perhaps you admired the style in which it was written and how the poet incorporated figurative language. Or perhaps you had a personal connection to it. Maybe you just found it to be a lovely snapshot or an interesting story. Whatever the reason, you will need to explain why this poem stood out above the others.

On slide 3 of your presentation you will paste one or more lines from the poem that incorporate figurative language. You need to specify what type of figurative language is being used. You may only copy and paste the original poem, all other work must be completed in your own words or you will automatically earn a zero.